Arkel has recently entered the bikepacking scene with a new set of rear seatbags that they are calling their Seatpacker line. What’s unique to their design is that the bags work with a mini support that lifts the bag from the top! Check out how the support works and if we like it in our video first look.

The best camera is the camera that is the most readily accessible and the one you use the most. Period. We have a lot of different cameras for the work that we do, so it might seem a little strange that we’ve gone “backwards” and are using an iPhone. The truth is that we’ve shot lots of footage but they never see the light of day. The workflow of downloading them to a computer post-trip and then editing them is sometimes enough of a barrier that we don’t ever produce something from the stuff we’ve shot. In an attempt to remedy this and be more active vloggers on our Youtube Channel, we are experimenting with just using an iPhone. We messed around with it on our Lodi trip and got a glimpse of how we can use it for storytelling. Here are three tips we’ve learned so far from using the iPhone for shooting AND editing.

Just posted another video review on our Bicycle Travel Channel (you’d know if you were a subscriber…hint, hint :), this time looking at two popular titanium pot supports for bike touring and bikepacking. Watch the vid below, or scroll down for the executive summary.

Clikstand
+ Lightweight at 2.5oz
+ Very stable base, good for larger pots and pans
+ Compact when folded down
+ Works with alcohol stoves and solid fuel tablets

Vargo Titanium Hexagon Stove
+ Light at 5oz
+ Compact, one piece design
+ Very heat efficient
+ Works with alcohol stoves, fuel tablets and twig fires
– Warps over time and doesn’t fit together as snugly
– A little dodgy to move once lit because of loose fit

In this video, we take a look at two filters we’ve been using for the last few years during our bike tours: the MSR Autoflow and Sawyer Squeeze. If you want the executive summary, scroll down below.

Both filters have a place in our touring gear, but they each work optimally for certain situations. Here are some pros and cons of each.

MSR Autoflow
+ Large opening on bladder makes it easy to fill
+ Great basecamp water filter
+ Best option for filtering for 3-4 people
– At 12.5oz, twice the weight and pack size of the Sawyer Squeeze

Sawyer Squeeze
+ At 5oz, half the weight and volume of the MSR Autoflow
+ Small and convenient enough to take even on long day rides
+ Filters for 1 to 2 people
+ Comes with syringe to backflush the filter
– Stock bladder is too small, must immediately upgrade to a larger one like the Platypus Platy bottle.
– Small mouth on bladder makes it tricky to fill in low water situations
As always, shop local. But if you want to support site click through and purchase them at the Amazon links above and helps us buy a cup of coffee 🙂

In this video, we take a quick first look at Ortlieb’s first foray into bikepacking! Bringing their years of experience in making quality panniers, it’s exciting to see their addition to the current bikepacking trend.

We’re going to be taking a look at their handlebar roll and accessory bag as well. Be sure to subscribe to our Youtube Channel and be notified the second they are released!

In this vid, we review the Carsick Designs Rack Sling, an open topped sling bag that functions similarly to Xtracycle Free Radical bags. The slings can accommodate loads that won’t fit in regular panniers. In the few weeks that we’ve been testing them, I’ve put everything from a standard backpack to a 1×1 LED video light to our fishing gear in the sling. Watch the vid and see it in action on our Bicycle Travel Channel.

Since paring down our touring kit, we’ve become real fans of small panniers. These Arkel panniers are probably the smallest we own (definitely the lightest) and are more like a bikepackers pannier than anything else. Amazingly, they are also fairly affordable for the pair. Watch the video to see how they mount and our thoughts on them.